Earth, Air, Water, Light

by C L Lassila

  When she and Darwin arrived home they walked around the side of the house to the back. Adelaide was curious as to what Jonas could have for her in the barn. Darwin had stopped to drink some water from his bowl beside the well. When Adelaide saw the covered box sitting on the ground next to the door she knew immediately what it was. Jonas had rescued the peddler’s magic chicken from its sentence of life in a tiny crate. She managed to lift the box and move it outside. Once there she lifted the cloth that concealed the crate’s contents. Adelaide knelt down beside the box.

  “Hello, chicken,” she said. “You are going to live with us now. No more living in a cage for you.”

  Inside of the wooden crate was a pretty brown hen. It was highly unlikely that this bird had been buried under the snow for five months. Whether the peddler truly believed it or if he had manufactured the story as a scam, she would never know. Adelaide went and got some corn and fed the bird. Darwin came over and sniffed at the crate.

  “Dar, you be nice to this bird. She is going to live here now,” Adelaide said. “Let’s go and see how the plants are growing.”

  Adelaide decided to give the chicken a chance to get used to the surroundings before letting her out of the crate. She and Darwin walked down to the far end of the field, stopping to look at the different plants that were growing on the land. The milkweed was doing well, growing taller every day. It would indeed be good fortune if they blossomed this year.

  “Have you ever smelled the milkweed blossoms, Dar?” Adelaide asked the dog. “There is nothing that smells so beautiful, especially when the scent is combined with that of other plants, spicy and sweet. I think that it would be impossible to have a bad day with the smell of milkweed flowers in the air. We will be very lucky when they bloom. Let’s go and let the chicken out of that horrible crate.”

  Back at the house Adelaide went in to get Darwin a bone to distract him while she freed the chicken from its prison. Darwin had never paid any attention to the other chickens so it was unlikely that there would be a problem but she had heard about the pecking order of chickens and if there was any commotion she wanted Darwin to be otherwise occupied. With the other chickens scattered around hunting for insects and Darwin on the porch Adelaide slid open the door to the crate and slowly moved over to take a seat on the steps. The chicken stood in the open crate and looked around and then began to peck at the ground just outside of the open door. It then stepped out of the box and joined the other chickens which were busy hunting for bugs out in the yard. None of the other chickens took any notice of it. Adelaide sat and watched for some time, pleased to see this bird that had been confined, now free to walk on the grass. Darwin, too, showed no interest in the new comer. To him it was just another chicken. Adelaide was relieved that there had been no fighting. Hopefully, when night approached and the chickens went into the coop, they would continue to get along.

  Caught up in observing the brown chicken explore its new surroundings, Adelaide’s afternoon past quickly. Eventually she went in to make some supper for herself and Darwin. Jonas would have eaten in town. After eating they went back outside. The sun had worked its way toward the horizon when she heard Jonas come into the house. Adelaide stood up and opened the back door.

  “We are back here,” she called to Jonas.

  When he joined them on the porch Adelaide put her arm through his and, with her other hand, she pointed to the brown chicken, again scratching and pecking in the dirt.

  “Thank you,” Adelaide said.

  Jonas laughed, delighted that he had made his wife happy.

  “As it turns out, the peddler had a weakness for betting on games of chance,” Jonas said. “When he ran out of money he bet his magic chicken.”

  “It is the best gift that I have ever been given,” Adelaide said, looking at the chicken. “She seems to be happy.”

  “Well, I am happy that I found something to give you,” Jonas replied. “You are difficult to shop for. What did Mrs. Lessing have to say in her letter?”

  “If I find life in the wilderness to be too much of a hardship I am welcome to return to Sault St. Marie and live with them,” Adelaide answered.

  “Should I book passage for you then?” Jonas said, teasing his wife.

  Adelaide laughed and said, “How is the church?”

  “Off to a good start,” Jonas answered. “It will be larger than the last one. I’ve eaten and I am tired.”

  “It’s time for bed then,” Adelaide said. “I think that the chickens will work things out. Dar, let’s go inside.”

  Two weeks later Jonas was ready to leave for Isle Royale. Adelaide and Darwin walked with him into town to see him off. Jonas had hired a dozen men to accompany him and start up the mine. More would be hired later. He promised to write once a week, but instructed Adelaide not to worry if his letters were not punctual. He expected to return to Copper Harbor once a month or so, to deal with business and to make sure that all was well at the farm. After having spent the winter with Jonas, Adelaide had become accustomed to his company. She would miss her husband. They stood at the dock and said their goodbyes.

  “If there is anything that you need you can ask for help at the church or if you need help with the farm you can hire someone,” Jonas said as he embraced his wife. “I should be back in a month. Take care when you are out in the woods. There are a lot of new people in town.”

  “I will be careful,” Adelaide replied. “The farm will be fine. You go and concentrate on getting the mine running. And be careful too. Remember that you have hired men to work underground for you.”

  “I cleaned Mr. Greenfield’s rifle. It is ready to use if you need it. And I left something for you in your sketch book,” Jonas continued.

  He leaned down and kissed his wife. “I love you,” he said.

  Tears welled up in Adelaide’s eyes. “I love you,” she replied.

  Someone on the boat called out her husband’s name.

  “Go,” Adelaide said. “Be safe,” she called after him as he boarded the boat.

  “It’s just you and me for a while, Dar,” she added, as she and the dog turned and walked away from the dock.

  When they arrived back at the house Adelaide picked up her sketch book and then went out onto the back porch. The crows, which had been absent earlier when she had fed the chickens, started to caw. One of the glossy black birds flew down and landed on the railing. It was the only one of the group that would come so close to her. After setting down her book Adelaide returned inside and came back out with what was left over from their breakfast. She tossed it out for the crows.

  “It is your fault that it is late,” Adelaide addressed them as the birds flew down to eat. “You weren’t around when I looked for you earlier.”

  As the crows grabbed their meal and flew off, Adelaide sat down and opened her sketchbook and discovered an envelope from Jonas. She unfolded the sheets of paper and read:

  My dearest Adi,

  I think that this will make you happy. I was able to purchase the land that you wanted that adjoins the farm.

  Your Loving Husband,

  Jonas

  As Adelaide read the deed to the land, tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked out over the farm feeling immensely happy. More of paradise was now under her protection.

  “Darwin, come here,” she called to the dog. He stood between her legs and licked Adelaide’s face. “We have more land,” she said, rubbing the sides of his neck. “We have more land.”

  After Jonas’ departure, Adelaide’s days fell into a happy, easy routine. She woke with the chickens and, unless it was raining, she spent most of her time outdoors. When breakfast had been made and the chickens and crows fed, she and Darwin would set off to explore. Adelaide was happy to be able to get back to doing her sketching. She again spent long hours observing the natural world around her.

  One spring afternoon, as Adelaide was working in the yard, she saw one of the crows pick up a stick and carry it up to one of the big spruce tree
s that bordered the field. They were nesting. She was excited to think that she would have the opportunity to perhaps see them raising their young. The nest was well hidden and almost impossible to make out from the ground. She would have to wait until the young fledged to hope to get a look at them. The crow’s nest was not the only nest that she had discovered. A pair of bald eagles had built a large nest high up in one of the tallest pine trees adjacent to the pond. She had only seen a bald eagle there once before so having a pair take up residence was welcome. All around her were things that were new to her. All around her were new things to learn.

  There was also hard work to do on the farm. Already she was collecting firewood. They would not have the Greenfield’s wood to get them through the next winter. And it was the time in the spring when she had to plant the potatoes. This was a task that Adelaide discovered to be enjoyable. Working outdoors, digging in the dirt with the smell of the newly turned earth filling the air around her was an agreeable way for her to spend a part of her day. For a week straight she spent part of her afternoon planting one section of the field each day. She would do it after her time spent sketching, later in the day, when the sun moved lower in the sky and the temperature dropped slightly. Although by planting the potatoes that time of the day she escaped laboring when the sun was the most direct, it was still hot and sweaty work.

  It was at that time that Adelaide adopted the habit of bathing on the back porch at the end of the day, when her work was done. She would fill the basin with freshly drawn water before she left in the morning. The basin would then be set on a table on the porch where it could sit in the sun and warm during the course of the day. When she was ready to bathe in the late afternoon or early evening the water would be a pleasant temperature. The water from the well was quite cold, its temperature being well suited to quenching thirst but much too cold for washing except in the heat of the summer.

  Adelaide had had a grand day. She had seen the fledgling crows for the first time. They were on the ground, complaining loudly, demanding attention from their parents. She had watched as the adults brought the youngsters food and placed it into their gaping mouths. The babies were black like their parents but with blue eyes, the sign of their young age. She had also spent some time sketching the milkweed, now fully grown into its distinctive form. For the first time in her daily examination of the plants she was able to see that they were beginning to bud. The milkweed would bloom this year. Also, while at the pond earlier in the day, she saw a doe emerge from the bushes to drink, with her were two spotted fawns, long legged and brown eyed, like their mother. It had been a day of wondrous sights.

  Adelaide enjoyed the sensation of the wind’s caress on her newly exposed skin as she unbuttoned her shirt and slid the garment off of her shoulders. Darwin, exhausted by the day’s activities was sleeping on the porch nearby. She took a piece of folded cloth and placed it in the tepid water. After wringing out the fabric, Adelaide ran the wet cloth across the back of her neck. She closed her eyes and savored the coolness of the water on her flesh. Shivering momentarily as a drop of water ran down the length of her back, she dipped the cloth back into the basin. Adelaide slowly ran the rag down the length of her arm and over her bare breasts. The touch of the breeze on her damp skin caused her nipples to erect. She once again dipped the cloth into the cooling water and was languidly running it down her other arm when Darwin suddenly jumped to his feet. He stood frozen with his ears pricked up staring toward the side of the porch. Adelaide lifted her eyes and followed Darwin’s gaze. From behind the side of the house emerged an image from her fevered dreams, a hallucination, a mirage. And then she heard the deep, familiar voice that she had, for so many months, longed for. It was Calix’s voice.

  “You made it through the winter,” he said.

  It was as if she was hearing his words under water. She stood transfixed, frozen, as Calix made his way around the side of the porch and up the stairs. When he stood before her, tongue tied she tried to speak.

  Looking into his eyes she whispered, “Did you ever once believe that I wouldn’t.”

  His hand gently brushed down the side of her face. Calix ran his fingers through her hair, their eyes still locked. With her cheek cradled in the palm of his hand, he leaned down, his lips touching hers. His kiss awakened her desire for him, desire that she had struggled to repress over the long winter months. As they kissed, Calix’s hand moved down to Adelaide’s bare breast, his fingers brushing over her nipple. Adelaide quickly undid Calix’s clothes, as his fingers worked to open her trousers. He pulled them down her long legs and off, over her bare feet, before standing again. Calix pushed her naked body up against the wall, raising her leg up around his thigh as he pushed into her. Adelaide grabbed a handful of his hair and moaned as his erect member filled her. She kissed him hard as he thrust into her. With his strong arms supporting her, she wrapped both legs around him as they fucked. The intensity of their lovemaking grew until they both reached climax. Afterward, still standing against the wall, Calix ran both of his hands gently through her hair. While cradling her head in his hands and looked into her eyes.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  Adelaide’s head was spinning. It was difficult for her to find words.

  “I love you, Calix,” she said.

  Darwin, feeling left out, tried to push his way between their two bodies. Adelaide and Calix both began to laugh.

  “I haven’t forgotten about you, Dar,” Adelaide said, scratching the dog’s head.

  “How have you been, Dar?” Calix said laughing.

  After they both dressed, Adelaide sat on the steps while Calix went and removed a bottle from the small, wooden crate that he had with him when he arrived. He sat down beside Adelaide, opened the bottle, took a drink and then handed the bottle to her.

  “The farm looks good,” Calix said.

  “The milkweed is in bloom,” Adelaide said, taking a sip of whiskey from the bottle.

  “Brilliant,” Calix replied. “There was a good chance that it wouldn’t flower until next year,”

  “All of the plants that we planted are growing,” Adelaide continued. “Ten Crows said that they would like it here. He was right.”

  She handed the bottle back to Calix.

  “All of the chickens survived the winter?” Calix asked.

  Adelaide pointed to the brown hen, the new addition to the flock.

  “That pretty brown hen is a magic chicken. Apparently she survived being buried under the snow for five months,” Adelaide explained.

  She looked over at Calix and they both started to laugh hard.

  “I am glad that you are here,” Adelaide added, her tone now serious. “But my life would have been easier if you had not come back.”

  “I know that,” Calix replied. He stopped and took a drink from the bottle. “That’s the reason why I was not on the first boat to Copper Harbor when the passage opened. As it turned out though, I couldn’t stay away.”

  “I am not ready to tell Jonas yet,” Adelaide said.

  “That’s probably for the best,” Calix answered. “If he challenged me to a duel, I would have to shoot him and I like Jonas.”

  “You would, too,” Adelaide replied. “He’s a terrible shot. He would lose in a fist fight also. Will you stay for a while? There is going to a lot of work to be had.”

  “I am going to stay for as long as you will have me,” Jonas answered.

  Adelaide looped her arm through Calix’s and rested her head on his shoulder. “I am really happy that you are here,” she said.

  Before the sun set, Adelaide took Calix by the hand and they walked around the farm, looking at the various plants that they had planted in the fall. The crow fledglings that she had seen earlier in the day were again on the ground, begging their parents for food. Adelaide pointed out the crow’s nest high in the tree and noticed a white bird moving in the branches. Was there a white crow in the brood? She directed Calix’s attention to the spot where the bird w
as roosting.

  “Is that a white crow?” she asked Calix in disbelief.

  “I have heard that they could be white, but I have never seen one before,” Calix replied.

  “Well, the bird had best be careful or it will end up like the brown chicken,” Adelaide said. “Either someone will shoot it and charge people to see the carcass or they will catch it and put it in a little cage to make money. Animals don’t fare well when someone thinks that they can make some money off of them.”

  The bird stood at the end of the branch and flapped its wings in preparation for its first flight.

  “Last winter I wished that I had wings when I saw the freedom that the crows had in being able to fly above the snow,” Adelaide added. “I would have flown to you.”

  “Unfortunately we were both born in human form,” Calix replied.

  “Not the noblest of creatures,” Adelaide said with a laugh. “Although the Methodists would disagree with that, we were made in god’s image after all.”

  “That type of talk could once get you burned at the stake,” Calix replied.

  “I know,” Adelaide agreed.

  As the sun was setting they walked back to the house. The evening was spent as they had spent so many enjoyable evenings in the past, eating and talking, laughing and making love. When the rooster crowed the next morning, Adelaide awoke in Calix’s arms. She pushed her body back against his and felt his hand brush softly over her stomach. His fingers moved down between her legs as she felt him grow hard against her ass.